50/50
The line down the center of my body marks the territories
between the oppressed and the oppressor. This thin line I
walk, is as treacherous as it is sweet. One moment brings
an abundance of joy in the shape of Black bodies and shea butter
with a twist of sunshine and the color orange. But
when I least expect it, its a sharp tac right through my skin,
piercing my pink toes and flushing my cheeks with colors
I’m embarrassed to show. Then I’m stuck, frozen. just a
lite brite mulatto with no place to grieve. Skin so bright its a trigger
to my kin. a threat to my kin.
Now I’m apart from my kin.
What’s a black girl to do with such white skin?
Tay Bass (she/her/hers) is a Brooklyn based Actor hailing from Michigan! Her work has been seen at Texas Shakespeare Festival, The Flea, Williamstown Theatre Festival and other local NYC companies! For more, www.taybass.com